As the festive season approaches, it is a good time to reflect on a year filled with many challenges. It is also an opportunity to look back on what we have faced as procurement and supply chain professionals.
After emerging from Covid, the demand spikes and supply-side shortages continued well into 2022. Moreover, issues stemming from the Brexit transition led to new trade barriers. These barriers have hindered the flow of goods between the UK and the EU, our biggest trading partner. The introduction of additional paperwork and resulting border delays have also contributed to higher prices and increased supply chain costs. Furthermore, rising commodity prices have pushed inflation to levels that many professionals have never seen before.
The demand spikes and supply side shortages after we emerged from Covid continued into 2022. The issues created by the Brexit transition saw trade barriers put in place which have hindered the flow of goods between the UK and, our biggest trading partner, the EU. The introduction of additional paperwork and consequent border delays have all contributed to higher prices as higher supply chain costs. Increased commodity prices have driven inflation up to levels many have never seen.
Then in February 2022 the start of the war in Ukraine drove energy prices to unprecedented levels and the cost of almost everything we buy as procurement and supply chain professionals increased further.
These macro-economic & domestic events have seen our profession grappling with more supply side shortages, therefore having huge inflationary pressures on prices.
Whilst throwing up multiple challenges, 2022 has also created a unique ‘live-learning’ environment for procurement professionals. Every day has presented a different scenario and we have had to adapt to a professional life where the only thing that is constant is change.
Typically, we have been busy finding new supply sources, entering negotiations where our buyer power has weakened or more closely managing existing suppliers to drive fulfilment and on-time delivery. Procurement professionals have had to dig deep into their list of best practice techniques, therefore applying the learning from our CIPS courses in a live environment.
2022 was the third year in a row in which we had gone from a world of stable sourcing into one of global supply shortages and change. We ask you to reflect on these points and realise what an incredibly versatile and resilient profession you belong to.
It’s been a year of growth at Aspire Procurement Training. We launched our procurement and supply apprenticeships programmes. We successfully retained our CIPS Centre of Excellence accreditation in July and demand for our short commercial courses has jumped by over 400%.
We added new student champions and an apprentice champion to our teams. Our student champions support our learner experience and provide enhanced pastoral care. They have all shone this year. We could not grow the business without superstars like them. They have helped drive our new technologies and processes to a new level.
We continue to drive our business forward as the training division of our parent company, Slater Austin. Slater Austin has in turn have seen record growth in supply chain consultancy and recruitment. Overall, the group is aligned on delivering the supply chain talent of the future. We are proud to play our part!
At every turn, we are seeing new opportunities to meet demands and expectations. We look forward to expanding our services throughout 2023. We predict continued challenges in finding and developing the right supply chain talent. Supply chain activity remains essential. Essential in both the fight against inflationary pressures and the fulfilment of sales.
For now though, we’re going to take a break and come back refreshed. With all of the challenges in the world, may we all continue to work towards a better tomorrow.
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a healthy, prosperous, happy and safe New Year.
Mark Parker MCIPS and Richard Slater, Directors of Aspire Procurement Training Ltd